Tuesday, November 28, 2006

#2 - Maria V. Snyder is giving away signed ARCs of Poison Study with 5 referrals to family and friends. Here's what she says: "Just have your friends/relatives/co-workers/strangers email me at maria at mariavsnyder.com. Make sure all five include your name and the fact you mentioned my book(s) in their email. And make sure YOU email me your address so I can send out your special prize!"

HEIDI: Out of all the works you've written, who is your favorite character and why?

KIM: In RED DIAMOND, Kinshasa Omari, an eleven-year-old African boy, plays a pivotal role. When his parents are murdered by a Warlord, he is drugged and manipulated into becoming a boy soldier. Yet, he maintains a moral stance and never gives up hope for a better life. Having just traveled to Kenya, I was inspired by the resilience and warmth of the people there. I hope I capture that essence in Kinshasa.

HEIDI: Out of all the works you've read, which character do you wish you could have created?

KIM: Hannibal Lectur. Brilliantly drawn villains are the most interesting characters. Thomas Harris used just a few details to make his cannibal serial killer stand out. Who could resist an academic gentleman who likes fava beans and Chianti with his “dinner.” The impact of Hannibal can be demonstrated by this fact: With less than 16 minutes of screen time, Anthony Hopkins' performance in The Silence of the Lambs was the shortest ever to win a leading acting Oscar. Now that’s impact!

HEIDI: Do you ever base your characters on people you know?

KIM: Never. I’m married to a lawyer and know better. :) Actually, I tend to use a compilation of character traits that I see in friends, family, and strangers to make up unique individuals. Characters become a melange of all the people I’ve met.

HEIDI: Is there a character you've written who is more like you than the others?

KIM: I would have to say that all of my female protagonists have a little bit of me in them. Industry hazard. Authors tend to use writing as inexpensive psychotherapy!

HEIDI: Do you cast your characters or give them theme music when writing them?

KIM: I definitely cast my characters, especially the heroes. Matthew McCaughahay would be a very busy actor if my books were made into films. :)

Don't forget you can vote for Kim's book ONE SHOT TWO KILLS in the American Title III Contest by e-mailing webmaster@romantictimes.com with ONE SHOT TWO KILLS in the subject line.

I had the honor of being on a panel about Women in SF with both Maureen and Catherynne recently at Context 19. Their ideas of the strong woman not necessarily being a Buffy or Xena type are certainly reflected within their work.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Worries about the LUNA line ending seem to be founded, but luckily Maria's third book Fire Study will be published through the MIRA line. The line is also reissuing the other two Study books in trade paperback. You can see the new cover for her original Poison Studyhere.

Monday, November 13, 2006

Seton Hill writer Kimberley Howe made it to round two of the American Title III Contest, sponsored by Romantic Times.

The descriptions about her hero and heroine are up now for viewing. One of the judges actually says that she was turned off by Kim's heroine because she's an ex-sniper, and apparently the judge doesn't believe women should go into combat. Huh?! What year is this anyway?

If you'd like to vote for Kim, please e-mail webmaster@romantictimes.com with ONE SHOT, TWO KILLS in the subject line.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Looking at my submission record today, I realized that out of 82 total submissions this year, I only had 20 post submissions.

I think I know why I seem to prefer e-mail:

#1: It's easier. (no printing and stuffing)#2: It's cheaper. (no postage)#3: It's less cluttering. (pop the sent e-mail into a yahoo folder instead of keeping a real folder of papers)#4: It's immediate. (find a market from Ralan or Duotrope, open a new window, send off an e-mail to the market right then and there)

I wonder if I'm unconsciously limiting myself by heading first for the markets which accept e-mail submissions. Truth is, I save the ones who only deal through the post for last.

TALKING ABOUT THE AMBASADORA SERIES

"AMBASADORA has a lot to say about the human spirit and it says it well." -MIKE RESNICK Nebula and Hugo Award-winning Author of the Santiago series

TALKING ABOUT STARRIE

"Miller’s short third novel in the space-faring, caste-bound, hierarchically polyamorous, and socially striated Ambasadora universe (after 2013’s Greenshift) manages to balance the exoticized presentation of the setting with relatable human interaction...the romance between Ben and Naela highlights the emotional side of reaching out to those who are different from you, even in a world where those differences are stylized and codified." -Publisher's Weekly

TALKING ABOUT MANY GENRES

"...a beautiful and insightful must-have book for any writer, from newbie to working pro. Highly recommended!" -JONATHAN MABERRY NYT Bestselling Author of the Joe Ledger series

TALKING ABOUT STARRIE

"STARRIE is one ripping fast book and a well told story. I loved it!" --Basil Sands, The Big Thrill

TALKING ABOUT HEIDI'S WRITING

"...a writer-crush on Heidi Ruby Miller. I mean, holy crap, this girl can write! This is how you write Science-Fiction." -CARY CAFFREY Bestselling Author of The Girls from Alcyone trilogy

TALKING ABOUT GREENSHIFT

TALKING ABOUT STARRIE

"Take authentic, straight-ahead space opera. Stir in a highly trained, kick-ass assassin on a mission of vengeance. Toss in a career soldier and watch them battle together, and grow together, as adversity piles on. Serve hot! Heidi Ruby Miller’s STARRIE serves up the perfect concoction of nonstop, take-no-prisoners SF action and romance, set against the intriguing backdrop of the brutal and dangerous world of AMBASADORA, and deftly leaves us wanting more." -Win Scott Eckert, coauthor with Philip José Farmer of The Evil in Pemberley House and author of The Scarlet Jaguar, winner of the 2014 New Pulp Award

TALKING ABOUT MARKED BY LIGHT

"Talk about an outlaw hero that is larger than life. Talk about a hero who changes worlds." -JENNA BENNET NYT Bestselling Author of The Fortune series

TALKING ABOUT HEIDI'S STORIES

TALKING ABOUT STARRIE

"With explosive action, kick-ass heroes and romance that hits all the right notes, STARRIE gives fans of science fiction romance everything they want—at a breakneck pace. Plan to stay up all night finishing this one, it’s impossible to put down!" - RHONDA MASON Author of The Empress Game